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Umbilical Cord Blood Donation
UMass Memorial Medical Center provides the option to donate your baby’s umbilical cord blood at the time of delivery. The blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta after a baby's birth is rich in stem cells that are found in bone marrow. It used to be thrown away as waste, but by donating it you can help advance medical research.
Cord blood donation for research is easy and at no cost to you.
Why Umbilical Cord Blood Donation Is Important
Cord blood has become a valuable resource for studies on diabetes, HIV, human immune system function, and other disease states and conditions. This research has the potential to benefit scientific knowledge and progress. Our partners at UMass Chan Medical School turn world-class research into discoveries that lead to changes in how we care for patients. Cord blood can be donated to researchers at the Medical School, other affiliated researchers and/or outside institutions and organizations.
How You Can Help
Cord blood donation isn’t harmful to the parent or child, and there is no cost to you or your family. Almost anyone can donate, and all ethnic groups are encouraged to donate. With your verbal permission, we can collect it while waiting for your placenta or after its delivery. Donating your baby’s cord blood is entirely voluntary.
Cord Blood: Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cells are in cord blood?
Cord blood contains stem cells. These special cells can create new blood cells and transform into different kinds of cells.
How is the blood collected?
After the baby is delivered and separated from the umbilical cord and placenta, the cord blood is collected in a donation bag. A needle is inserted into the cord, and the blood is drained into a collection bag. There’s no harm to you or your baby.
Can the blood be collected if I have a cesarean section?
Yes, cord blood can be collected with both vaginal and cesarean deliveries.
What about my privacy?
Cord blood donations that are sent for research maintain minimal information attached to them. We label the blood with day of week and month/time/weight of collection, gestational age, maternal age, diabetes status, COVID-19 status, sex of baby, or infection presence. Under HIPAA, we need your permission to collect this information.
The Medical School and other research affiliates are unable to determine the identity of the cord blood donor with the provided information. The lack of personal health information documented allows the process to be completed with just verbal consent.
Cord blood is not collected without your permission. A member of the research staff or your health care team will discuss the process and obtain your consent prior to delivery.
Can I get my cord blood back after it is donated?
Cord blood collected and sent for research has only minimal information attached to it, so it cannot be connected back to the parent or child. By donating, parents are aiding in research to find answers that can positively impact the health of everyone.
Why would I not be able to donate?
Patients who are not eligible to donate cord blood include:
- Under the age of 18
- Have a history of hepatitis B or C, or HIV
- Have an active infection
- Have Type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes requiring insulin
This information is reviewed before you consent to the cord blood donation.
How to Donate
Talk to your doctor, who may have information in his or her office. Additionally, you can request your provider to make a note of your preference in your medical records. This ensures that the cord blood team and labor nurses are aware of your decision. Contact us at cordblood@umassmemorial.org or call 508-334-6678. You may also be asked about cord blood donation during your admission to labor and delivery, or prior to your scheduled cesarean delivery.
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